#565 MV Explorer home in Hamburg

Our favorite ship and her nearly identical twin were born here just over 10 years ago in shipyard number 962. Built by Blohm + Voss, she was christened Olympia Explorer and delivered in April 2002 to Royal Olympic Cruises. In 2004, she realized her true destiny as a floating university when she was chartered by the Institute for Shipboard Education for the Semester at Sea program and later purchased.

From the MV Explorer's berth at the Uberseebrucke dock in the port of Hamburg, she can see the Blohm + Voss dock 17 where her sister is being built today. The German shipbuilding company lists the MV Explorer as one of the most notable ships they've built.

The MV Explorer will come home again at the completion of the Spring 2014 voyage when she will undergo a tune-up in dry dock conditions.